AN IRVINE man is taking on a mammoth cycling challenge to help fight cancer.

Bourtreehill GP practice manager Robert Faulks, also known as Bob, is cycling 5,250 miles to help Ayrshire’s cancer support group – the equivalent of 150 journeys from his home to the Beatson centre.

He set out at the beginning of 2021 to cycle every day simply in order to “get back in shape” and to help raise awareness of the new Ayrshire to Beatson Cycling Challenge taking place anytime in September.

During Bob’s professional careers, first flying with the Royal Navy and then as the GP Practice Manager at Bourtreehill in Irvine, the current Troon resident said he’d always been very active and had commuted by bike daily to his second job.

He said: “When I heard about the Ayrshire Cancer Support fundraising cycling challenge, I decided to make my own challenge, equivalent of 150 journeys from where I live in Troon to the Beatson Cancer Centre by August 31.

“So I need to cycle 5,250 miles by then without breaking a day.

“As everyone knows, the weather since January has not been at all kind to cyclists, and frozen hands and feet were very much the order of the day to start with.

“The weather is thankfully getting (a bit) better, and I’m looking forward to some warm longer rides when I can get up towards my target. I’m delighted to be supporting the great work that Ayrshire Cancer Support do.”

This September, Ayrshire Cancer Support are asking supporters and residents to sign up to their new cycling event Ayrshire to Beatson Cycle Challenge.

Every year Ayrshire Cancer Support volunteer drivers undertake around 12,000 journeys to The Beatson Hospital – taking patients to and from their cancer treatment.

And now the group say it’s your turn – only on a bike. Take on the ‘Beatson’ and pedal towards a stronger, healthier you.

If you want to join Bob, register your interest, or sign up and help the Ayrshire Cancer Support charity raise funds you can find out more information by visiting https://www.ayrshirecs.org/ayrshire-to-beatson-cycling-challenge

Alternatively you can contact the community fundraising team on 01563 475025.

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